Influences: 8 Tracks That Influenced Seven Blood’s ‘Life Is Just A Phase’

It has been a somewhat whirlwind two years for Seven Blood. Vocalist Azaria Nasiri, guitarist Oli Arnold and drummer Anfy Hartmann came together in 2023. With their line-up later completed by bassist Josi Hille, the quartet have been honing their mix of towering alt-rock and alt-metal, playing shows with the likes of Kittie, Future Palace, Ankor and Conquer Divide, over the past two years. They’re now set to unleash their debut album, ‘Life Is Just A Phase’.

The founding trio of Azaria, Oli, and Anfy found a connection through personal crisis, searching for purpose and meaning. Azaria is the daughter of a Moroccan mother and an Iranian father, who relocated to Berlin in the 1970s. Oli and Anfy were born in Suhl, a former German Democratic Republic that suffered urban decay after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Collectively, Seven Blood is born out of a determined mindset of overcoming difficult circumstances.

‘Life Is Just A Phase’ is littered with tales of growing up in uncertainty. From the outset, ‘House ≠ Home’ captures a feeling of disconnect and a need to escape. Throughout, Nasiri and company wrestle with the notion of wanting to start over, breaking free from the past, and ending the mental turmoil that has weighed on their individual upbringing.

It’s paired with a barrage of anthemic alt-metal cuts that are delivered with seasoned assuredness. Tracks such as ‘Monsters,’ ‘Cold Eyes,’ and ‘Killing From The Inside’ elevate themselves thanks to towering melodies, heavy guitars, and a driving rhythm section. The quartet also show some dramatic flair with ‘Hourglass,’ ‘Not Your Misery’ and album closer, ‘Fall From The Sky’, stirring with an abundance of emotion.

With a debut album that reveals itself with each listen, Seven Blood‘s arrival shows plenty of potential. However, as they’re a new band, we were intrigued to find out which bands and songs helped shape ‘Life Is Just A Phase’s eleven tracks. Thankfully, Azaria Nasiri was more than happy to share their influences.

Architects – Blackhole

Azaria: This represents a more recent, but hugely impactful, source of inspiration for us. Seeing Architects live last year was an incredible experience—they possess this devastating power that is perfectly controlled. They have always been a monumental influence on our sound, but it’s fascinating to hear how they continue to evolve. This track in particular perfectly showcases their mastery in seamlessly combining incredibly technical, angular metalcore elements with these huge, strong, and instantly anthemic choruses. That blend of complexity and accessibility is something we constantly strive for in our own songwriting.

Paramore – Conspiracy

Azaria: This track is pure, distilled nostalgia; it’s the sound that fueled my teenage heart. I specifically remember this being the first Paramore song that truly resonated deep within my angsty, teenage soul. It was a revelation, finding music that vocalised those complex, messy feelings of youth. That raw, emotional honesty that Hayley Williams brought to the early records taught me that it’s okay to be vulnerable and loud at the same time. It is a key element of how I approach my own vocals and lyrics now.

Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box

Azaria: Nirvana has always been an auditory constant. Growing up, there was always music playing at home, and this was one of those songs that was just always there. It burned itself into my memory. It is such a hauntingly brilliant track. The way the song shifts between that quiet, tense verse and the sudden, overwhelming explosion of the chorus is pure genius. That dynamic contrast, the inherent sadness, and the sheer power of Kurt Cobain’s voice make it a piece of music I will never forget.

Enter Shikari – Gap in the Fence

Azaria: I just adore the raw, kinetic energy and the massive, explosive dynamic of Enter Shikari. They manage to infuse so much pure emotion into their sound. I actually think I stumbled across them randomly through a YouTube comment somewhere, back in the early days of finding music online. They instantly blew me away. Their ability to blend punk aggression with electronic textures and political urgency proved to me early on that genres are just suggestions, not rules.

Dua Lipa – Levitating

Azaria: While our music is loud and heavy, my appreciation for music spans genres, and I absolutely love the infectious vibe and perfect pop songwriting of Dua Lipa. Specifically, ‘Levitating’ is a masterclass in modern pop structure. It’s impossible not to move to, and the way she crafts hooks and maintains that irresistible groove shows a level of focus and polish that even heavy bands can learn from. It’s just pure, uncomplicated fun.

Bring Me The Horizon – Sleepwalking

Azaria: ‘Sleepwalking’ (or a similar track like “Teardrops”) is another genius piece of songwriting from Bring Me The Horizon. What’s so compelling about their work is their ability to continually reinvent themselves. This particular track is fantastic for its dark, almost Deftones-like atmospheric quality. It’s so layered and moody, yet it hits with this incredible, visceral power. It showcases a band that understands how to be heavy without being reliant solely on traditional metal clichés.

Bad Omens – The Death of Peace of Mind

Azaria: This whole track is a fantastic example of cinema-like atmosphere and incredible, sprawling production. Bad Omens really understands how to build tension, and this song feels like a score to a dark movie rather than just a track on an album. The way the vocals shift from ethereal to aggressive, combined with the underlying electronic pulse, creates a dynamic that sets them apart. It proves that atmosphere and mood can be just as heavy as any breakdown.

Future Palace – Decarabia

Azaria: We were fortunate enough to tour with Future Palace for nearly a year, and because we were seeing their set almost every night, this song truly became our unofficial tour anthem. It has this incredible momentum and a soaring chorus that resonated with all of us night after night. Being on the road creates this unique bond, and “Decarabia” perfectly soundtracked our shared experiences and the high energy we brought to the stage together. It will always bring back great memories from that time.